Community Chat

[walkingal]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. The protagonist in this novel is Christopher, a 15 year old with Asperger's Syndrome. It is written in the first person, so you are reading exactly what he is feeling at every moment. That was quite interesting and very enlightening. He's a sweet kid and suffers with so many problems. It was sad in many parts, but it had its fun moments, as well as, many touching moments. I'm really glad I read it, and advise anyone with a family member or friend with Asperger's to read it as well.

[Judaline]

On 7/14/2014 insomniac said:

I'm the one who started a thread praising The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. I was lucky enough to get a free copy of this wonderful book. If you feel like reading something literary for sheer pleasure--this is your book!

Thank you. And skyblue as well. How did you ever find this?

[skyblue]

Yes, INSOMNIAC is the one who piqued my interest with her advanced copy. I knew I had to read it. I finished SAVE THE DATE which was a light, summer beach read. I just downloaded MAMBO IN CHINATOWN by Jean Kwok. I loved her book, GIRL IN TRANSLATION, so I hope I love this one!

[Judaline]

If you two remember, the book that first brought AJ and Amelia together was a short story called The Late Bloomer by Daniel Friedman about a man 88 yrs old who got married for the first time. So I'm reading and all of a sudden it hits me-I'm also reading a book by Daniel Friedman about an old man!!! An 89 year old ex-cop who's still taking cases on his own. And I'm thinking, is this where the author got the name and the idea? Very strange. Of course as it turned out it was a pen name in the AJ Fikry book, but still.

[smoky22]

I just finished The Cutting Season by Attica Locke. Thanks to Linders Back for recommending it. She's right about the author capturing an authentic feeling for the location (and it's a good story). I enjoyed it and was pleased that the author did not fall into what I would have considered a predictable outcome.

I also read The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith. While I enjoy his writing, his stand-a-lone books just never seem as good as those in a series.

And I think I'm all caught up in his #1 Ladies Detective Series with The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon. This book was even more reflective than usual for him and it had a final ring to it. I thought he might be discontinuing this series but I guess there is a new one coming out in August.

I have so many books right now I don't know what to start next. I'm leaning towards One Plus One by Jojo Moyes, but I also have Among The Missing (Morag Joss), A Circle Of Wives (Alice LaPlante), The Lace Reader (Brunonia Barry) and Missing You (Harlan Coben).

[walkingal]

Perfect by Rachel Joyce (author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a favorite of mine in 2013) is about two 11 year old school chums whose almost perfect lives are changed forever by an accident. In the aftermath, their families' past and present lives are revealed. Nothing will ever be the same. It's poignant, filled with love, forgiveness, and redemption.

[insomniac]

Skyblue, thanks for the alert on Mambo in Chinatown. I so loved Girl In Translation, but I didn't know the author had a new book available.

[skyblue]

On 7/15/2014 Judaline said:

If you two remember, the book that first brought AJ and Amelia together was a short story called The Late Bloomer by Daniel Friedman about a man 88 yrs old who got married for the first time. So I'm reading and all of a sudden it hits me-I'm also reading a book by Daniel Friedman about an old man!!! An 89 year old ex-cop who's still taking cases on his own. And I'm thinking, is this where the author got the name and the idea? Very strange. Of course as it turned out it was a pen name in the AJ Fikry book, but still.

Wow! What a coincidence!

[yellowBeetle]

This is a re-read for me, but I am loving it just as much the second time around!

Anne Tyler's "Ladder of Years."

Absolutely adore Anne Tyler's books! She is a true master at creating quirky and memorable characters and stories. Recently re-read "Breathing Lessons" and plan on doing the same shortly with my all-time fave Tyler book, "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant."

I'm sure many of you have read Tyler's books, so please consider this a friendly reminder that they can be savored again and again!

[insomniac]

Monetfan, thank you for the post about Anne Tyler. I treasure her books. Ladder of Years is one of my favorites--I love how the main character stepped out of her present life into another one.